Members of a local Christian theater group, Players of the Stage, will use their acting talents this Christmas season to perform their version of "Anne of Green Gables" to help a local rescue mission.

The play, set in 1908, is the story of a young orphan girl mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who live on a farm called Green Gables in the town Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

As Matthew is getting up there in years, the siblings decide to adopt an orphan boy to help on the farm.

The play tells how Anne Shirley wins the Cuthberts' hearts and about her struggles in school and in the town.

This play is based on the novel "Anne of Green Gables" written by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Actors from Cast One spoke with The Press during a recent rehearsal.

Joy Mills commented on her role as Anne.

"At the beginning of the play, Anne is 11 years old and an orphan," Mills said. "She is very lonely, so she uses her imagination to escape from reality."

"Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert adopt her and at first do not like her.

"Over the course of the play, she wins the hearts of both of them."

By the end of the play, Mills' character stops using her imagination and becomes more of a mature young girl.

Mills said playing Anne takes a lot of energy.

"If she is going to do something, she does it with her whole heart," Mills said.

"I really enjoy being in the play, working with the director and the other actors. They are all fun to be around," she said.

Carter Wiren, who portrays Gilbert Blythe, said his character is a teaser.

"Gilbert is a fun character to play because I get to tease people in the play and I tease people in real life," Wiren said. "The first time I meet Anne, I call her 'Carrots' because her hair is so red and she hits me over the head with a slate."

Gilbert tries to become Anne's friend but she keeps ignoring him, Wiren said.

Hudson Wiren, who plays Matthew Cuthbert, said his character is shy.

"Anne sort of brings him out of his shell," Hudson Wiren said. "Throughout the play Matthew sort of pampers and spoils Anne."

Hudson Wiren enjoys playing Matthew because he gets to be somebody who is nice and loves Anne more than anyone else.

"I like the challenge of playing someone who is shy because that is not like me," Hudson Wiren said. "I really love acting and telling a story and doing it for a really good cause."

Maddison Masenheimer portrays Diana Barry in the play.

"Diana is Anne's best friend and is in awe about her because she is so funny and imaginative," Masenheimer said. "Diana is not really sure she should be friends with her but in the end they become good friends."

Masenheimer said her character is fun to play.

"I really like the drunk scene," she said. "That was really hard for me to play at first.

"Being in the play is great. It is a fun experience but it is tough as well with all the lines and costumes.

"I am really excited we get to support somebody through our acting."

Colleen Prince, who plays Rachel Lynde, said her character is stuck up and full of herself.

"She loves to give advice when it is not necessarily needed," Prince said. "I think at heart she really wants to do what is best for all of her friends but comes across quite a bit pushy."

"I love playing my character. It is one of most favorite characters I have ever played. It definitely stretched my skills as an actress."

Prince said Rachel Lynde has always been her favorite character, ever since she read the book as a child.

Laura Fodale plays Marilla Cuthbert, an older woman who lives on a farm with her brother.

"She has lived there her whole life. It is her home," Fodale said. "Marilla is a very hard and bitter person, so it is hard to get to know her."

She said over the course of the play Anne changes Marilla's heart.

"The thought of having this young, bright, energetic girl come into her life is just shocking," Fodale said.

Fodale said playing Marilla has really stretched her as an actor.

"Marilla is a very challenging and different role," she said. "It is my first big lead role, so I was excited to get it.'

"I love being a part of Players of the Stage. Mrs. [Sharon] Gerdes is an amazing director and she really pushes us to be the best we can be."

"One of the things I love about 'Anne of Green Gables' is the contrast between Marilla, the reluctant adopter with a walled-up heart, and Anne, the girl with open arms and a heart desperate to belong," Gerdes said. "It's a beautiful story about how two lonely people help each other overcome their personal sorrows and find their place in the community again."

"Anne's need to belong is one everyone can relate to. I know I certainly can.

"We try to fit in through our clothes, our music, our politics and beliefs, hoping if we look, talk and think the right way we'll be accepted.

"Unfortunately, people can also relate to Anne's repeated rejections as the standards to fit in are always changing in our rapidly evolving culture."

Gerdes has enjoyed working on a play that shows how powerful adoption can be.

"Matthew and Marilla's adoption of Anne freed her from her fantasy world and gave her a safe place to call home and belong," she said. "Anne's adoption of Matthew and Marilla opened them up to the joy of giving and receiving love.

"Anne's story certainly shows how all of us have a need to belong, but I think it also hints at a deeper truth; that all of us need to be adopted.

"As you think about Christmas this year, I hope you have many opportunities to give and receive love among your family and friends. But more importantly, I hope you'll have a chance to think about who you need to be adopted by and whom you can adopt."

"Anne of Green Gables" will be performed 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 13 and 14; and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at Living Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 330 Schantz Road, Lower Macungie Township.

Tickets for the show are free but reservations are required.

In lieu of a ticket price, an offering will be taken to support the Allentown Rescue Mission, a non-profit organization providing emergency shelter, rehabilitation and counseling to men in the Lehigh Valley.

For reservations, email potstickets@gmail.com or call 610-310-7604.

For more information about the play, go to playersofthestage.org.